Each camera, be it vintage or digital, has its own tale to be discovered and told!

Photography has the power to tell stories, inspire generations and bring an enormous change in the World. It creates a vision for the unseen. We can share and view pictures indefinitely across the globe in milliseconds. The digital age has its own perks.

19th August is universally pronounced as the ‘World Photography Day’. Seems surreal right? Even I used to think the same till I met Mr. Tikam Chand and many other observant and marvelous photographers, in our very own Jaipur!

Hawa Mahal is quite a catch for tourists visiting Jaipur. And Outside, you’d definitely find Tikam Chand or his brother along with their era old ‘Huge’ camera coping up with either the scorching sun in summers from 7.30am to 7.00 pm or the biting winters from 9 am to 5.00pm!

Tikam Chand, a man in his late 40’s proudly owns an 1860 Carl Zeiss wooden camera which he has been using for daily duties since past three decades! The camera and its legacy are unbelievable!

Tikam Chand’s grandfather called, Pahiri Master, was a Royal Photographer for the Maharaja of Jaipur in the 19th century who treasured this piece of beauty, manufactured in the 1860’s Germany. Since then it has been passed down from generations, which ultimately got conferred on Tikam Chand in 1977. And hence, He decided to preserve the heritage and also created a livelihood out of it by charging Rs. 200 for each Black and White picture. The strength of a camera which might seem menial is astonishingly enormous!

This camera which is more or less trying to find a place in this digital age of Photo- technology stands on a broken tripod, still not losing its focus, a set of 4×5 Carl Zeiss lens along with a dark room built in it. Though body of the wooden camera is quite worn out, It’s the only piece left of its kind in the World.

Earlier in 1860s, they used to get Gavit Paper for developing the pictures which later gave way to InduPaper. Now they use Noa Lustre, not available in Jaipur which makes it all the more difficult for him to sustain. But his determination takes him to studios in Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Ahmadabad and even Chennai to get the paper! So much for keeping the heritage alive…

Well, Photography has the audacity to capture memories, those auspicious moments of life we would always cherish!! Photography is an invention which has evolutionalised the way we view the World and its majestic dimensions with flamboyant people in it. We can visit places without even leaving our own porches! And most importantly, we can watch our grandchildren grow up while we are miles apart from them! Photography has led to splendid revolution in our lives! The history of celebration of this day time and again demonstrates the passion towards Photography which undoubtedly is the true foundation of this day. Many of those tiny set of black and white Polaroids can act as a souvenir of our old days and bring along pangs of nostalgia. Embrace each day with zeal and love!

Beautiful women dressed in the bright colors of spring, dancing at the songs of Sawan, their cascading hair whilst enjoying with each other and having fun. The dazzling ornaments, beautiful clothes, clapping henna-decorated hands and heart to heart talk on life, love, romance and festivity add up to the spur of the celebration. That’s how I can connect with Teej, being one of my darling festival and the most popular and widely celebrated festivals of Rajasthan.

The festival is celebrated every year during the showery season of ‘Monsoon’ amidst July and August. The festival is devoted to Lord Shiva and his consort Parvati when they have got united and it also provides relief to the people from the scorching heat and brings happiness by the lovely and much awaited showers. Although this festival is celebrated across Rajasthan but Jaipur is the centre of attraction, because of the fanfare and sparkling festivity. Our very own Pink city calls on scores to the tourist, on this vibrant festival from across the globe. It’s also an excellent time to enjoy Rajasthani delicacies like Malpuas & Ghewar.

Yummy Malpue

Delicious Ghewar

The festival of love is primarily meant for the girls and married women wearing beautiful Lehariya saris, shopping Rajasthani ‘Bandhni’ fabrics and saris with trendy accessories to show their ardor towards their spouses. They worship goddess Parvati in order to gain virtue, fertility and devotion.

We all have geared up to celebrate Hariyali Teej with immense pomp and zeal, but let me tell you there are two more types of Teej, one is Kajli Teej, where the women sing Kajri folk songs to praise monsoon and the second one is Hartalika Teej, in which the women keep fast for the long and healthy life of their husband.

The Royal part of the festivity is the parade which starts from City Palace and travels through the lanes of old city by proceeding with the idol of Teej Mata (Goddess Parvati) in a royal pageant for public, so that the public can pay homage to the goddess. The possession starts from Tripolia Gate via Tripolia Bazaar, Choti Chaupar, Gangauri Bazaar and ends up at Chaugan Stadium. Bullock carts pulling cannons, bedecked elephants, horses, camels, brass bands, dances and the antique gilt palanquins forms a part to this grand procession. The idol of Goddess Parvati is carried by eight men dressed in red color. Jaipurites participates in this parade in their traditional best and enhances the vibrancy of the fest.

If you want to be a part of this vivid festival then let me give you a sneak peak of the schedule. The Sawan Teej Utsav have commenced from today which will last till 11 August at JKK (Jawahar Kala Kendra) , in which many artists, folk singers, acrobats and dancers will be adding up the glamour. The special performances will be the Kuchipudi dance, Sufi, Sugam and Lok Sangeet. Also there will be food and craft carnival.

Another noteworthy feature is that the possession will be cherished more, as the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) has given permission for 30 elephants to participate in the event, as last time few NGOs working for the welfare of animal have protested the use of elephants for festivity.

I am sure this time the verandas won’t miss the Elephants!!

It’s brilliant to see the tourist enjoying every bit of it and it’s the best time to feel the religious yet charming fervour of our princely Pink City.